Franklin, defense improve during game
Harold McIlvain II
Issue date: 9/3/08 Section: Sports
This time last year redshirt freshman Jerry Franklin was just playing on the practice squad, and he wasn't even playing the position he did during a 28-24 win over Western Illinois Saturday.
He watched from the sidelines former middle linebacker Weston Dacus play his future position, but he didn't know it at the time.
Franklin, a Marion, Ark., native, arrived on campus a year ago as a duel threat on both sides of the ball. He earned first-team all-state honors as a receiver and running back during his senior year, and he was a play maker on the field - scoring touchdowns on the ground, in the air, from a fumble return, an interception return and a kick return.
Fast forward to Saturday night, Franklin is still making plays on the field, but he is now a leader of the defense after switching to a position of need for the team, linebacker. He showed coaches and players throughout scrimmages and practice that they could lean on him when they need someone to get to the football.
And he showed that in his first game as a Razorback. Franklin led the team in tackles with seven total, three of which were solo and eight were assisted.
Even though Franklin is just a freshman, Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said he is making a major impact at his new position.
"Franklin is our leader on this defense," Robinson said. "He's not quite yet ready to accept that role, but I will guarantee you if you watch him and the way he produced this game I think he might not be the vocal guy but statistically he will be that guy that people are going to look up to. If he stays healthy and if he continues to grow, Franklin is going to be one of those guys we set the standard to at the position."
Junior defensive tackle Malcom Sheppard said he was impressed with Franklin's play and his work ethic he has displayed to get better since arriving on campus.
"He played really good," Sheppard said. "I remember one play where I stood there on the opposite side of the guard and he came in there and made the tackle right beside me. He stepped his game up.
He watched from the sidelines former middle linebacker Weston Dacus play his future position, but he didn't know it at the time.
Franklin, a Marion, Ark., native, arrived on campus a year ago as a duel threat on both sides of the ball. He earned first-team all-state honors as a receiver and running back during his senior year, and he was a play maker on the field - scoring touchdowns on the ground, in the air, from a fumble return, an interception return and a kick return.
Fast forward to Saturday night, Franklin is still making plays on the field, but he is now a leader of the defense after switching to a position of need for the team, linebacker. He showed coaches and players throughout scrimmages and practice that they could lean on him when they need someone to get to the football.
And he showed that in his first game as a Razorback. Franklin led the team in tackles with seven total, three of which were solo and eight were assisted.
Even though Franklin is just a freshman, Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said he is making a major impact at his new position.
"Franklin is our leader on this defense," Robinson said. "He's not quite yet ready to accept that role, but I will guarantee you if you watch him and the way he produced this game I think he might not be the vocal guy but statistically he will be that guy that people are going to look up to. If he stays healthy and if he continues to grow, Franklin is going to be one of those guys we set the standard to at the position."
Junior defensive tackle Malcom Sheppard said he was impressed with Franklin's play and his work ethic he has displayed to get better since arriving on campus.
"He played really good," Sheppard said. "I remember one play where I stood there on the opposite side of the guard and he came in there and made the tackle right beside me. He stepped his game up.
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